Vibrator for brass wind instruments



Oct. 9, 1956 E. F. BRENNAN 2,765,695

VIBRATOR FOR BRASS WIND INSTRUMENTS Filed May 19, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR Edmund F Brennan ATTORNEYS Oct. 9, 1956 E. F. BRENNAN 2,765,695

VIBRATOR F OR BRASS WIND INSTRUMENTS Filed May 19, 1955 s sneaks-sheet 2 INVENTOR Edmund F. Brennan ATTORNEYS Oct. 9, 1956 E. F. BRENNAN 2,765,695

VIBRATOR FOR BRASS WIND INSTRUMENTS Filed May 19, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTOR Edmund F. Brennan ATTORN E Y6 VIBRATOR FOR BRASS WIND lNSTRUh IENTS Edmund F. Brennan, New Haven, -Conn.

Application May 19, 1955, Serial No. 509,617

Claims. (Cl. 84-401) This invention relates to vibrators for brass wind instruments. The class of musical instruments to which the invention is applicable includes the trumpet, the baritone horn, the trombone, and the tuba, for example. The instant application is a continuation-in-part of my application, Serial No. 371,966, filed August 3, 1953, now abandoned.

Heretofore, pulsations of tone in a brass wind instrument, commonly known as vibrato, have been produced by the expedient of grasping the instrument with one or more hands and shaking or vibrating the same slightly. The technique is exceedingly diflicult to master and is often injurious to the lips of the player against which the instrument is pressed. The invention contemplates the provision of a vibrator for brass wind instruments which is easy to use, and in use produces an eminently satisfactory vibrato, and which in use does not injure the lips of the player by jarring the instrument thereagainst.

Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a vibrator for brass wind instruments which is easy to use, and which in use vibrates a brass wind instrument without injuring the lips of the player by jarring the instrument thereagainst, and which in use produces an eminently satisfactory vibrato.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vibrator such as characterized above which may be formed as an attachment for a brass wind instrument.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a trumpet equipped with a vibrator embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view but shows the other side of the trumpet of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the vibrator illustrating the relationship of the same with respect to the valve casing structure of the trumpet;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vibrator;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a trumpet equipped with a vibrator of modified form;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the vibrator shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a broken elevational view of a trombone equipped with a vibrator of another form;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the vibrator of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a broken elevational view of a trombone equipped with a vibrator of modified form; and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the vibrator of Fig. 9.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through 4, there is provided a trumpet, indicated generally at 10, having a conventional tubular structure, indicated at 11. A conventional cup-shaped mouth piece 12 is provided at one end of the tubular structure 11, and a conventional bell 13 is provided at the other end thereof. Intermediate the ends of the tubular structure 11, a conventional upwardly directed valve structure is provided, the

Patented Oct. 9, 1956 valve structure being indicated generally at 14. The valve structure 14 comprises two laterally spaced cylindrical parts 15 and a cylindrical part 16 disposed midway between the cylindrical parts 15. Each of the cylindrical parts 15 and 16 forms a conventional vertically arranged valve casing. The valve structure is provided with the usual valves 17 adapted to be engaged by fingers of the player and extending outwardly from the respective valve casings 15 and 16.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, for example, a vibrator is provided for the trumpet 10, which vibrator may be formed conveniently as an attachment for the trumpet, the vibrator being indicated generally at 18. The vibrator 18 comprises an elongate body or clip member 19, preferably formed of sheet brass or steel and generally of C shape. The vibrator 18 is detachably secured to the trumpet 10 by two opposing curved portions 19 of the member 19, which clip over the respective valve casings 15, the relationship of the clip member 19 to the valve casings 15 and 16 being illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, for example. In the operative position of the vibrator 18, illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the clip member 19 is maintained in intimate and firm engagement with the valve casings 15 owing to the resiliency of the member 19 and the tension imposed on the latter by the valve casings 15.

As best shown in Fig. 3, one end portion of the clip member 19 is provided with a reversely curved lateral extension 19 When the vibrator 18 is secured to a trumpet for use by a right-handed player, as shown in Fig. 1, the reversely curved extension 19 of the clip member extends laterally from the left-hand side of the trumpet for engagement by the thumb of the player's left hand.

In the form of the invention shown by way of example in Figs. 1 to 4, the clip member 19 is provided with a resilient strap 21) preferably of sheet metal, the strap 20 being formed preferably of steel or brass. The strap 20 is horizontally disposed, and the intermediate portion 20 of the strap, of reduced width, is secured to the clip member 19, as by welding, in the region of the clip member 19 extending between the valve casing 16 and the valve casing 15 remote from the players mouth, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the intermediate portion 20 of the strap is disposed approximately midway between the upper and lower edges of the clip member 19. The strap 24) is bent outwardly from the clip member 19 to form a strap portion 20 inclined at an angle of approximately 45 to the member 19, as shown in Fig. 3. Adjoining the portion 20 the strap is provided with a portion 20 in approximately parallel relation to the member 19 and forming withthe strap portion 20 an anle of approximately as shown in Fig. 3. The end 21 of the strap 20 nearest the mouth of the player is preferably of approximately the same width as the clip member 19, and extends rearwardly beyond the end of the member 19 toward the players mouth. The end 21 of the strap is laterally offset with respect to the clip member 19, as shown in Fig. 3, and is curved in the same direction as the corresponding end of the member 19. Adjacent the other end of the clip member 19, the strap 20 is sprung outwardly from the member 19 to a small extent, and the other end 22 of the strap extends forwardly beyond the corresponding end of the member 19 and is curved in the same direction as the corresponding end of the member 19, as shown in Fig. 3. As shown in the last-mentioned view, the ends 21 and 22 of the strap are spaced from the corresponding ends of the member 19, the end 21 of the strap being spaced from the corresponding end of the member 19 a greater distance than the end 22 of the strap from the corresponding end of the member 19.

Also as shown in Fig. 3, the free extremity of the strap 20 adapted to be positioned nearest the players mouth, lies in approximately the median plane of the valve structure, while the other extremity of the strap 20 extends a short distance beyond the median plane of the valve structure. The end 22 of the strap, like the end 2?. of the strap, is of approximately the same width as the clip member 19, as shown in Fig. 4, for example.

When the vibrator 13 is clipped to the trumpet for use by a right-handed player, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the thumb of the players right hand engages and is slightly crooked around the curvilinear end 21 of the strap in a comfortable and natural position, as shown in Pig. 2. The little finger of the players right hand is crooked over the tubular structure 11 of the trumpet, and the remaining fingers of the players right hand are le t free for manipulation of the valves 17, as shown in Pig. 2. As shown in Fig. l, the thumb of the players left hand is engaged with the extension 19* of the clip member in a comfortable and natural position to partially support the trumpet. As shown in the last-mentioned view, the index or forefinger of the players left hand is crooked around the end 22 of the strap and is in engagement therewith, the remaining fingers of the players left hand extending through the tubular structure it and assuming the positions shown in Fig. 1. The aforementioned grip of the players left hand on the trumpet is a very comfortable grip, and provides, in effect, a floating support for the trumpet. It will be understood that the floatingsupport effect is achieved by the disposition of the forefinger of the players left hand on the end 22 of the resilient strap 20, and the disposition of the thumb of the players left hand on the extension 19* of the clip member. To achieve an eminently satisfactory pulsation of tone or vibrato in the trumpet, the player merely exerts pressure on the end 2 of the strap with the thumb of the players right hand, thereby vibrating the trumpet to a small extent between the thumb of the right hand and the forefinger of the left hand, the vibration of the trumpet being only sufficient to produce a fine vibrato and being noninjurious to the players lips.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. and 6 is in some respects similar to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, there is provided an elongate resilient body or clip member 24 formed of sheet brass or steel and of C shape, adapted to be secured to the valve structure of a trumpet in the same manner as the above-described clip member 19. The clip member 24, which does not have a portion thereof equivalent to the extension 19 of the clip member 19, is provided with resilient strap 25 preferably of sheet metal, the strap being formed preferably of steel or brass. The strap 25 is horizontally disposed and has one end thereof secured to the central portion of the clip member 24, as by welding. If desired, the strap 25 may be struck from the clip member 24, and may thus be formed as an integral part of the clip member 24. As illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings, the strap 25 is provided with a substantially straight portion 26 diverging from the clip member 24 and having a metal button secured to the free distal end thereof as by welding, the button being indicated at 27. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the strap 25 is disposed adjacent the upper edge of the clip member 24 and extends around the end of the latter remote from the players mouth. The other end of the strap 25 extends rearwardly beyond the valve casing structure and the clip member 24, as shown in Fig. 5. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the strap has only one free end and the thumb of the players right hand engages the button 27 of the vibrator (see Fig. 5), imparting a pulsating pressure to the button 27 and the strap 25, thereby vibrating the trumpet slightly and producing a satisfactory vibrato in the latter without injury to the lips of the player.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is in some respects similar to the above-described forms of the invention. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7, there is provided a trombone, indicated genorally at 23, having a U-shaped slide 28 telescoping in the tubular structure 2ft of the trombone and provided with a crosspiece 29 equipped with a vibrator indicated generally at 36. The vibrator 36 is preferably formed as an attachment for the slide 28 of the trombone. As best shown in Fig. 8, the vibrator 30 comprises a vertically O-shaped body or clip member 31 having upper and lower hook-like ends adapted to clip over and firmly engage the upper and lower tubular portions of the slide 28, the upper hook-like end of the clip member 31 being indicated at 32, and the lower hooklii:e end of the member 31 being indicated at 33. The clip member 31 is provided with opposing side flanges 3 4 straddling the crosspiece 29 of the slide and inhibiting dislocation of the vibrator 3t) longitudinally of the slide *3. Two sheet metal straps 35 are provided, the straps ,5 preferably being formed of steel or brass. The straps 35 are vertically arranged and each has the upper end thereof secured to one of the flanges 34- of the clip member 31. As shown in Fig. 7, each strap 35 has a portion 36 bent outwardly from the corresponding flange 34 at an angle of approximately 45. Each strap 35 has a portion 37 adjoining the portion 36 and forming with the latter an obtuse angle, as shown in Pig. 7, and each strap portion 37 is provided with an outwardly curved free end 38. As shown in Fig. 7, the outwardly curved strap ends 33 are spaced a distance from the flanges 34 and may be grasped by the thumb and forefinger of the right hand of the player to vibrate the slide therebetween to produce a vibrato. The grasp of the players hand on the vibrator 30 is such that the slide may not only be vibrated to produce a vibrato, but may also be moved by the thumb and forefinger of the players hand toward and away from the player for the purpose of playing diflerent notes on the trombone.

The vibrator illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings is in some respects similar to the vibrator 30 described above. As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, there is provided a vibrator, indicated generally at 3%, which comprises an elongate body or clip member 41 of C shape in cross section, the clip member 41 being formed preferably of sheet metal and the member 41 extending longitudinally of the crosspiece of the trombone slide, and being clipped thereto, the relation of the clip member 41 to the crosspiece of the trombone slide being illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The member 4-1 is preferably provided with a depending portion 41 abutting one side of the lower tubular portion of the trombone slide to inhibit rotation of the member 41 on the crosspiece of the slide. In the operative position of the vibrator Se the clip member 41 is intimately and firmly engaged with the crosspiece of the trombone slide. A strap 39, similar to the strap 25 previously described, extends longitudinally of the clip member 41, the strap 39 having one end thereof secured to the clip member 41 intermediate the ends thereof, as by welding, and having a button 40 similar to the button 27, previously described, secured to the other end of the strap 39 as by welding. The strap 39 extends downwardly and diverges from the clip member 41, the strap being disposed forwardly of the crosspiece of the trombone slide in the operative position of the vibrator, as illustrated in Fig. 9. In operation, the forefinger of the players right land is engaged with the button 49 (see Fig. 9) of the vibrator 30 exerting a pulsating pressure on the button at and the strap 39, thereby vibrating the trombone to a slight extent, the vibration being sufficient to produce a vibrato in the trombone.

In accordance with the invention, a vibrator for brass wind instruments has been provided, which vibrator, when used by even an inexperienced player, produces an eminently satisfactory vibrato in the instrument, which otherwise is very difficult to achieve. Another feature of the invention is due to the provision of a vibrator which in use does not jar the instrument against the lips of the player to such an extent as to cause discomfort or injury. Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a vibrator which may be produced at low cost and which may take the form of an attachment for a brass wind instrument.

While several forms of the invention have been described above and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that the invention may take other forms without departure from the principles of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A vibrator for a brass wind instrument, comprising a supporting member of C shape adapted to be embracingly and detachably secured to a portion of the instrument, and a strap of spring metal extending outwardly from said member, the strap being fixed to the central portion of said member and having a free end adapted for engagement by a finger 'of the player to vibrate the instrument.

2. In a vibrator for a trumpet having a valve casing structure, a sheet metal member of C shape extending transversely of the valve casing structure and adapted to snap on the same in embracing relationship, and a resilient strap of sheet metal extending outwardly from said member and extending in a direction transversely of the valve Icasing structure, the strap being fixed to the central portion of said member and having a free end disposed rearwardly of the valve casing structure and adapted for engagement by a finger of the player to vibrate the instrument.

3. In a vibrator for a trumpet having a valve casing structure, a generally C-shaped clip member for connection to the valve casing structure in embracing relation, the clip member having a lateral extension at one end thereof for engagement with one thumb of the player, the extension projecting from one side of the valve casing structure, and a horizontally disposed resilient strap having the intermediate portion thereof fixed to the clip member and extending along the other side of the valve cas- 6 ing structure, the strap having inwardly curved ends in embracing relation to the valve casing structure and spaced from the latter and the clip member, one end of the strap being engageable with the other thumb of the player, and the other end of the strap being engageable with the forefinger of the players other hand.

4. In a vibrator for a trumpet having a valve casing structure, a body member of 0 shape for connection to the valve casing structure in embracing relation, a resilient strap element having a portion thereof fixed to the body member at one side of the valve casing structure, said strap element being substantially horizontaly disposed and having a free end disposed forwardly of the valve casing structure for engagement by the forefinger of one of the players hands, and a second resilient strap element hav ing a portion thereof fixed to the body member at said side of the valve casing structure, said second strap element being substantially horizontally disposed and having a free end disposed rearwardly of the valve casing structure for engagement by the thumb of the players other hand.

5. In a vibrator for a trombone having a U-shaped slide provided with a vertically arranged crosspiece, a C-shaped body member for connection to (the slide in embracing relation, the body member being provided with a pair of opposing laterally directed side flanges straddling the crosspiece and inhibiting disclocation of the body member longitudinally of the slide, and a pair of vertically arranged resilient strap members each having the upper end thereof fixed to one of said flanges and having a free lower end spaced from the flange for engagement with one of the players fingers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 8,856 Gally Aug. 18, 1879 1,787,196 Haims Dec. 30, 1930 1,857,400 Pidgeon May 10, 1932 2,148,540 Dibert Feb. 28, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 518,977 Germany Feb. 25, 1931 

